After getting your braces off, Drs. Kessel and Bouwens will recommend wearing your retainers full time for a period of time before switching to nighttime only. Wait for their instruction to do so to prevent shifting of your teeth.

 

Take your retainer out when you eat or drink anything besides water. Always put it in the case! Retainers are easily lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.

 

Clean your retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Never use hot water.

 

When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in the case. Pets love to chew on them!

 

Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. Be gentle when inserting or removing them from your mouth. With proper care, your retainers will last for years.

 

If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately to purchase a new one before your teeth shift. Needing braces again is a lot more expensive than a new retainer!

 

If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Don’t try to adjust it yourself.

 

Always bring your retainers to your appointments.